Michigan State Corporate Income Tax 2018

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Michigan Corporate Income Tax Brackets

Tax Bracket(gross taxable income)

Tax Rate(%)

$0+

6.000%

Michigan has a flat corporate income tax rate of 6.000% of gross income. The federal corporate income tax, by contrast, has a marginal bracketed corporate income tax.Michigan's maximum marginal corporate income tax rate is the 10th lowest in the United States, ranking directly below Missouri's 6.250%.

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Michigan Business Tax

What is the Michigan corporate income tax?

Michigan's corporate income tax is a business tax levied on the gross taxable income of most businesses and corporations registered or doing business in Michigan. The Michigan corporate income tax is the business equivalent of the Michigan personal income tax, and is based on a bracketed tax system. Similar to the personal income tax, businesses must file a yearly tax return and are allowed deductions such as wages paid, cost of goods sold, and other qualifying business expenses.

What kind of businesses have to pay the Michigan corporate income tax?

In general, all businesses operating in Michigan which are not registered as a flow-through entity (like a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or an S-Corporation) must report their income and pay both Michigan and Federal corporate income taxes on their earnings. The most commonly used business structure that is subject to corporate taxes is a C-Corporation.

Because C-Corporations pay corporate taxes on their revenue in addition to the personal income taxes shareholders and owners pay on profits withdrawn from the company, profits received from a C-Corporation are subject to a phenomenon known as double taxation.

S-Corporations and other flow-through entities aren't subject to the double taxation of revenue imposed on a C-Corp, because they aren't required to pay corporate taxes on their revenue. However, the owners or members of the corporation must report their share of the corporation's income on their personal tax returns and pay Michigan and federal income tax.

All incorporated Michigan businesses, regardless of whether or not they are required to pay any taxes, should file at least an informational tax return with the Michigan Department of Revenue as well as a federal business tax return (Form 1120) with the IRS.

Michigan does not technically have a corporate income tax, and the rates quoted are of the Michigan gross receipts tax which serves a similar purpose. There are three other states with a similar configuration.

Michigan Corporate Income Tax Comparison
A home business grossing $55,000 a year pays $3,300.00
A small business earning $500,000 a year pays $3,000.00
A corporation earning $10,000,000 a year pays $600,000.00

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Michigan Nonprofit Tax Exemptions

Certain nonprofit entities registered in Michigan may be able to exempt some or all of their qualifying income from Michigan and federal income taxes. Specifically, certified Michigan 501(c) nonprofit corporations are exempt from the Michigan corporate income tax. Some of the most common 501(c) organizations include:

Educational & Scientific Institutions

Nonprofit educational and scientific groups are tax-exempt, including nonprofit schools and colleges and certain research institutions. Covered under § 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Tax-Exempt Charities

Bona-fide charities are exempt from all corporate income taxes, including both religious and non-religious charities. Covered under § 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Labor Unions

Labor unions and worker's organizations are exempt from taxation on dues and other forms of income. Covered under § 501(c)(4) and § 501(c)(5) of the IRC.

Tax-Exempt Religious Institutions

Bona-fide religious institutions including churches, synagogues, and mosques are exempt from corporate income taxes under § 501(c)(3) of the IRC

Tax-Exempt Recreational Organizations

Social clubs and recreational groups may collect dues and other funds as a tax-free organization as long as the primary purpose of the group is not for profit. Covered under § 501(c)(7) of the IRC.

In order to gain Michigan tax-exempt status, a corporation must qualify as a 501(c) and obtain a Nonprofit Tax-Exempt ID Number from the IRS. Michigan may also require nonprofits to file additional paperwork with the Michigan Department of Revenue to gain exemption from Michigan's corporate taxes.

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Federal Corporate Income Tax Brackets 2018

Tax Bracket ($)

Marginal Corporate Income Tax Rate

$0 to $50,000

15%

$50,000 to $75,000

$7,500 + 25% Of the amount over 50,000

$75,000 to $100,000

$13,750 + 34% Of the amount over 75,000

$100,000 to $335,000

$22,250 + 39% Of the amount over 100,000

$335,000 to $10,000,000

$113,900 + 34% Of the amount over 335,000

$10,000,000 to $15,000,000

$3,400,000 + 35% Of the amount over 10,000,000

$15,000,000 to $18,333,333

$5,150,000 + 38% Of the amount over $15,000,000

$18,333,333 and up

$6,416,667 + 35% of the amount over $18,333,333

In addition to the Michigan corporate income tax, Michigan corporations must also pay the federal corporate income tax. Like the personal income tax the federal business tax is bracketed based on income level, with eight corporate tax brackets.

The federal corporate tax's brackets differ from the personal income tax in that the brackets are not completely progressive (the last tax bracket is not the highest). This allows the corporate tax burden to be spread more evenly among companies with various revenue levels. The current corporate tax rates have been in effect since 1994 (unlike the federal income tax brackets, which are updated yearly for inflation).

All Michigan state taxes are deductible from gross income when calculating federal taxes, so any Michigan corporate income tax paid can be deducted from a business' gross taxable income before calculating your federal taxable income.